Aldi customers are being urged to stay vigilant after a new scam promising discounted meat boxes has been spreading on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has reported a rise in fraudulent posts claiming that shoppers can receive heavily discounted food boxes by clicking a link, completing a survey, and entering a prize draw.
The scam, dubbed the 'Aldi meat box' scam, exploits ongoing cost-of-living pressures to make the offer seem appealing. One example identified by Malwarebytes featured a post stating: 'My son works at Aldi and told me about something almost nobody knows... If you’re over 40, you can get a meat box from Aldi for under $10.'
Users who follow the links are taken to a fraudulent website where they are asked to provide personal and financial information, including payment card details, names, and addresses. This information can then be used by criminals to commit fraud or steal money from victims' accounts. While the scam has primarily targeted people in Australia and the Netherlands, UK shoppers are also being warned to remain cautious.
Malwarebytes advises consumers to be sceptical of deals that appear too good to be true, particularly those involving premium products offered at unusually low prices and linked to well-known brands. The company also warns against posts that rely on personal stories, such as claims that a friend or family member works for Aldi, as these narratives are commonly used by scammers to create a false sense of trust.
Another warning sign is the use of arbitrary age restrictions, such as targeting people over 40, which is a psychological tactic designed to make the offer seem more exclusive. Scammers often create a sense of urgency while portraying the process as quick and risk-free, using phrases like 'it only took a minute' to minimise perceived risks.
Malwarebytes' advice is simple: if a social media post promises a premium meat box for a fraction of its normal value, assume it is a scam until proven otherwise. Consumers are reminded never to provide card details, full addresses, or phone numbers on websites accessed through unsolicited social media posts, especially when the offer appears unusually generous.
